Democracy rules

The present-day travails of democracy spark a review of its first principles in this muddled meditation. Princeton political scientist Müller (What Is Populism?) probes the standoff between democracy as a creed of freedom and equality and the right-wing populism exemplified by Donald Trump's presidency, the Brexit vote, and the rise of authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe, which seeks to narrowly define who the "real people" are and exclude everyone else. Müller views the struggle through a wide-ranging survey of political theory and practice, including the participatory democracy of ancient Athens, where decision-makers were chosen by lot; the role of political parties and the press in shaping and empowering political constituencies; and the importance of a "loyal opposition" that accepts the validity of elections even when it loses. Müller's hang-dog take on democracy ("Those bent on subverting it are at least as busy perfecting a populist-authoritarian art of governance as defenders of democracy are racing to issue crisis manuals") isn't very directional: he's contemptuous of Trumpism, but also leery of "Trump derangement syndrome," and possibly open to a "militant democracy" that suppresses potentially anti-democratic tendencies. This ruminative sketch asks plenty of pressing questions, but offers few clear answers. Photos. Agent: Sarah Chalfant, the Wylie Agency. (July)

An introduction to democracy as a concept, taking readers through its origin, processes, and components. Princeton social sciences professor Müller begins by stressing that his latest book--after What Is Populism? (2016)--"is not a political manual" and that, despite significant setbacks, "democracy does still rule--in the sense that plenty of people around the globe view it as deeply desirable." In this fascinating, readable work, the author helps readers understand exactly how democracy is meant to work. Meticulously researched and clearly spelled out, the narrative demonstrates what democracy is and isn't, and Müller also includes a coda entitled "Five Reasons for Democratic Hope (Not Optimism)." Each section explores a specific aspect of democracy, including representation, governance, infrastructure, disobedience, borders, and others. The author reminds us that "we are all in favor of learning from history, but we implicitly assume that only good people learn from it," and he emphasizes that anti-democratic governments work hard to look democratic on the surface. If we seek to understand democracy, we must also acknowledge the lure and strategies of both populism and authoritarianism. "Populism is not uniquely responsible for polarization," writes the author, "but it's important to understand that populists' key strategy simply is polarization." Throughout the book, Müller provides historical context and many examples of when democratic principles are undermined or ignored. While "parties and media provide the essential infrastructure of democracy," Müller shows why it's crucial that they are not only autonomous, but accessible to every citizen, and he also delves into the pitfalls of social media. For such an all-encompassing, often messy, and contentious subject, the author maintains a concise, consistently informative narrative that explains key terms and theoretical frameworks in a way that should engage a wide audience. An essential examination of what democracy is and can be, how it can be abused or strengthened, and how we can move forward. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.